West Virginia cowboy triumphs at National Junior High Finals Rodeo

MILL CREEK, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Koalton Heckler, a 14-year-old from Mill Creek, has secured the title of World Reserve Champion in chute dogging at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in Des Moines, Iowa.

Chute dogging is a preparatory event for steer wrestling, requiring competitors to guide a steer to a line ten feet from the chute before wrestling it to the ground.

The NJHFR, recognized as the world’s largest junior high rodeo, drew around 1,200 contestants from 43 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, Australia, and Mexico this year.

Team West Virginia sent 13 students to compete in various events, aiming for the title of National Junior High Finals Rodeo World Champion.

Contestants needed to place in the top 20 based on combined scores from the first two rounds to advance to the final.

World champions were determined by the combined scores from all three rounds.

Heckler showcased remarkable performances in the initial rounds, finishing 17th in the first round with a 4.1-second run and winning the second round with a 2.72-second run.

His consistent performance earned him a spot in the final round, where he delivered a 2.65-second run, tying for first place and posting the fastest time of the week.

“We are incredibly proud of Koalton’s achievement and of all the young men and women who rodeo with WVHSRA,” said Brandon McCormick, President of the West Virginia High School Rodeo Association.

In addition to winning champion buckles and a medallion for the fastest time, Heckler received over $1,000 in scholarship funding.

This year, WVHSRA awarded $20,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors.